On Wednesday, May 13, the baseball team had a drive-through function to commend the senior athletes in the group. In spite of the fact that isolation was all the while going on, they made a point of  keeping six feet apart from one another. Family and coaches drove along Walgrove Avenue to support and show off posters to seniors as they stood against the gates of Venice High. There were posters, balloons, and banners celebrating the seniors’ athletic careers. News channel ABC was also there to broadcast the Gondos senior ceremony.

Although they were unable to play their last season together, after their ceremony was over they walked onto the field for one, celebrating their future successes, hard work, sweat, and tears they left on the field with their team. 

Their last home game was a non-league game that took place  March 11, against Bell High School where they lost with a final score of 4-0. They ended with an overall record of 6-5. 

“Even after all this time it’s still a lot to digest to be honest.” said senior baseball captain Kai Casillas. “Besides losing prom, graduation, and other senior activities, losing our season might have been the hardest to deal with for me. Personally, I haven’t spent more time in the off-season or been more prepared for a season in my career and it’s crushing to realize we’ll never know what our team could’ve accomplished this season.”

Many of these Gondos will be continuing their baseball career in college, Casillas being one of them. He will be attending El Camino College this upcoming fall. 

“It pains me to see that my other senior teammates have played their last baseball game. As much as it hurts to move on from my Venice baseball family, I am more motivated as ever to give my best shot at the next level, out of respect for my teammates that I’ll know forever.”

The drive-through celebration, with many parents, teachers, and coaches who came to celebrate, gave the Gondo athletes the motivation they needed to finish off their senior year on a bright note.

 “I thought the parents who planned it did a perfect job,” says Casillas. “I think all the seniors and I really enjoyed seeing everyone and enjoyed the effort our parents made to do something special for us and it meant a lot.”